French Bronze Sculpture “La Danse” by Eugene Delaplanche

EUGÉNE DELAPLANCHE
French, 1836-1891

"La Danse"

Medium-brown patinated bronze
Signed in cast E. Delaplanche
Incised "F. Barbedienne Fondeur Paris" & numbered 225; sealed with A. Collas reduction cachet

29 3/8" H x 8" D x 9 1/4" W

This is a very fine casting of La Danse after the original model by Eugene Delaplanche and executed by the Ferdinand Barbedienne foundry in Paris circa 1890-1910. It is titled in Kjellberg's monumental work as Zéphyr and is noted as Fée Aux Fleurs (The Flower Fairy) in Berman's volumes. The sculpture depicts a young nymph as she gracefully spins on a smooth dirt path while her diaphanous dress spins around her body while the the wind catches the bottom and carries it wildly into the breeze.

La Danse was initially exhibited at the Salon of 1886 as no. 3768 in plaster and the following year he exhibited the same model executed as Salon catalogue entry no. 4000, a life-size marble. His final exhibition of the model was it at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1889.

The sculpture was cast by Barbedienne in several editions, including 40 cm, 61.5 cm, 97 cm and 115 cm. The present example shows the careful attention of the ciseleur and shows beautiful chasing of the details. An attractive overall medium-golden-brown patina leaves the surface rich and full of life, being overall translucent and glowing throughout. Every detail is vivid, from the flowers and foliage held gently in her fingers, to the wrinkles of these fingers, her perfectly detailed face with a sharp little nose, eyes that are full of laughter and joy and a firm jaw. The naturalistic base is inscribed both "Delaplanche" and "F. Barbedienne Fondeur, Paris" and is numbered 225.

EUGÉNE DELAPLANCHE
Born in Belleville, France in February of 1836, Eugéne Delaplanche was a student of August Deligand and Francisque Joseph Duret and studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He exhibited for the first time in 1861 at Salon and in 1864 he was awarded the prestiguous Prix de Rome for sculpture, moving the same year to Rome where he produced a number of exceptional models of female figures in marble during his stay there through 1867. These works were sent from Rome to Paris, where they received important critical attention and established his reputation as a sculptor. He was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'Honeur in 1876 and continued to regularly exhibit at the Salon. He won a medal again in 1878 and a first-class medal at the World Fair in the same year. Much of his work was cast by Thiébault Freres and the house of Ferdinand Barbedienne. His works are held in museum collections around the world including the Louvre, Marseille and Saint-Denis.

Condition Report:
Careful patina touch up to largely invisible conservation to her ankle and the joint of her upraised arm: the ankle had a seam that our conservator welded closed for strength, then repatinated to match; the shoulder had a proud pin and open seam, which the conservator closed and chased the surface to have a nice smooth finish to match the surrounding areas - this was all then inpainted and patinated to match. Minor patina wear including a light scuff to her face and across her uppermost knuckles, her arms and raised elements. Cleaned and sealed in wax, polished and ready to place. A fine presentation.

ref. 212NPP08S